Non-alcoholic beer is a bit of a misnomer, because there really is no such thing as “non-alcoholic beer.” Trace amounts of alcohol can be found in beers with “no-alcohol,” but trace amounts of alcohol can be found in other food items too, due to natural fermentation processes. According to the Volstead Act, beverages containing up to 0.5 percent alcohol by volume (ABV) can be labeled as non-alcoholic, and sales of these beverages is legal to minors and adults in most states.

Known as non-alcoholic beer, low-alcohol beer, small beer or near-beer – what all of these beverages have in common is a very low or negligible alcohol content. But the most important distinction is in the flavor. Offered in ale, lager and the occasional bitter, a good non-alcoholic beer should be refreshing and enjoyable.

The History of Non-Alcoholic BeerNon-alcoholic beer has been around for centuries. Small beer, created during medieval times, was a popular beverage with colonists. At the time, the lack of public sanitation fouled water supplies, causing cholera epidemics. The combination of the actual boiling of the water, as well as the bacteria-killing properties of low levels of alcohol, secured small beer’s popularity as the Medieval equivalent of bottled water.

As time progressed and water safety improved, small beer diminished in popularity. But prohibition brought it back in a slightly revised form. In 1919, President Wilson attempted to label any beverage that had more than 2.5 percent of alcohol illegal. However, the Temperance Society insisted that the percent should not be greater than 0.5 percent, and “near beer” was born.

To stay in business, American brewers such as Anheuser-Busch, Miller, Pabst and Schlitz began producing malted beverages to replace their regular staple. Because they could not really be marketed as “beer,” they became known as “near beer.” Brewed using malted grain and hops, just like regular beer, there are a couple of techniques that can be used to remove the alcohol.

Brewing Non-Alcoholic BeerOne way to cook up a non-alcoholic beer is to brew a regular, or conventional, beer and remove the alcohol near the end of the brewing process. Called vacuum distillation, the beer is put under a vacuum and then – because alcohol has a lower boiling point than water – it is boiled at a lower temperature to help the alcohol evaporate. This process also can be done with no heat at all.

Another brewing method uses reverse osmosis. The beer is passed through a membrane under high pressure. The tiny pores of the membrane allow only alcohol and water to pass through. The alcohol is removed through distillation, leaving the water to be added back to the sugar and flavor compounds found on the other side of membrane.

Brewers also can manipulate the fermentation process to reduce the alcohol volume. All of the processes, however, affect the flavor of the final product, and it is up to the brewer to create something that is not watery and uninteresting. Any beer’s flavor comes from the grain used, as well as the aging process.

Is “Light” Beer Non-Alcoholic?Near beer or non-alcoholic beer should not be confused with so-called “light” beers. A light beer could have reduced alcohol content or reduced calorie content, depending on the brewery. Either way, light beers are usually far less flavorful than their full-strength counterparts.

Pros and Cons of Non-Alcoholic BeerWhether or not non-alcoholic beer is healthy continues to be debated within the medical community. Some studies suggest a link between non-alcoholic beer consumption and relapses in recovering alcoholics. Non-alcoholic beers increase dopamine levels in the brain, just as regular beer does, thus causing the relapse. Other studies indicate that just the smell of non-alcoholic beer may be enough to trigger a relapse. However, this connection remains under study.

Drinking non-alcoholic beer during pregnancy also remains up for debate; with some experts recommending complete abstinence from any alcoholic beverages and others suggesting that an occasional non-alcoholic beer will not harm the developing fetus. The best suggestion: If you’re pregnant, talk with your doctor before consuming any non-alcoholic beverage.

Alternatively, a Japanese study indicates that drinking non-alcoholic beer in moderation can reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease, just as moderate drinking of regular beer has shown to do.

Non-Alcoholic Beer in the Muslim CommunityIt is a matter of debate in the Muslim community as to whether non-alcoholic beer is permissible. Some say that it is OK, while others –pointing to the fact that non-alcoholic beer begins as an alcoholic beverage – say the culture of drinking beer and wine is counter to the Muslim beliefs. Because non-alcoholic beer is not 100 percent alcohol-free, some suggest it is not advisable to consume it.

Drinking and DrivingJust because you’re consuming non-alcoholic beer doesn’t mean you’re necessarily safe to drive. Theoretically, if you’re drinking a brew that contains 0.1 percent alcohol, you could consume a significant amount before you reach the legal limit. However, it’s best to read the label to determine the exact percentage of alcohol found in that beer. Remember, even so-called “non-alcoholic” beers contain some amount of alcohol.

Options AboundMany varieties of non-alcoholic beers abound, including lagers, ales and bitters. In addition to some American varieties such as Anheuser-Busch’s O’Doul’s and Miller Brewing Company’s Sharp’s, you can purchase non-alcoholic varieties from Holland, Germany, Poland and even Japan.

Additionally, there are a wide variety of regional brews and brews from microbreweries. Even wineries, such as Firestone, are developing non-alcoholic beers.

Many people select a non-alcoholic beer because they like the taste but don’t want the buzz that comes with a regular beer. Others choose it because they are designated drivers for the evening and want the flavor of a beer without the legal liabilities. Still others select it for health reasons. Whatever the inspiration, there is a wide range of flavorful and interesting brands from which to choose.

How Much Do You Know About Food?You know that brownies taste better when they're just out of the oven and that cranberry sauce will taste bitter if you don't add enough sugar. But do you know who invented the brownie or how to select the ripest cranberries? Aside from knowing which foods you love to curl up with, how much do really know about the history and fun facts of your favorite foods? Find out now.